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Barely two months after the resumption of commercial passenger flights, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has recorded an average increase in the number of passengers using Entebbe Airport.
Fred Bamwesigye the UCAA acting director-general noted that Entebbe Airport recorded 42,633 international passengers in October when commercial passenger flights had just resumed.
“Among those, 23,867 were arriving while 15,461 were departing and 3,305 were transit passengers,” noted Bamwesigye, putting the average number of passengers who used Entebbe Airport, at 1,375 in October.
He further noted that the daily average increased to 1,676 passengers in November with about 41,905 who were recorded in the month’s first 25 days.
“On the side of cargo, Entebbe Airport handled an impressive 5,542 metric tonnes of cargo in October 2020,” Bamwesigye stated.
It is upon this background that the aviation authority found it necessary to increase the number of flights per airline per day from one (as earlier directed), to at least two flights.
However, Uganda Airlines continues to operate frequently which, according to Bamwesigye, is due to the many responsibilities and tasks assigned to the national carrier, and given the fact that Entebbe Airport is the home of the airline.
Although UCAA continues to record a steady increase in the number of passengers who use Entebbe Airport upon resumption of commercial passenger flights, the numbers are still low compared to the average of 5,000 passengers who used the airport on a daily, before the outbreak of COVID-19.
Upgrade and expansion
In order to maintain strict observation of the COVID-19 standard operating procedures such as social distancing, UCAA recently completed the reconfiguration of the passenger boarding lounges by removing the partitions to provide more space and sitting area in the terminal.
Part of the first floor of the new terminal building was opened to facilitate departing passengers with adequate queuing space at the check-in counters.
According to Eng. Daniel Kiyimba, glass shields were erected at check-in counters, immigration booths, and facilitation desks to reduce direct contact between airport staff and passengers.
“The overall upgrade and expansion works which are being undertaken by China Communication Construction Company, is at 72% level of completion,” intimated Bamwesigye.
Vianney Luggya the UCAA public affairs manager said, all the improved initiatives will go a long way in improving safety, the efficiency of airport systems, and attainment of sustainability through the strengthening of the resources available at UCAA.

Adopted from: MSN News December 2020

By Julius Luwemba
Added 3rd December 2020 12:06 PM
The boat can rescue up to 50 people in case of any accidents.

Unlike the previous boats, the new Rigid Hull Foam Pontoon boat is mounted with fire-fighting muzzle. Photo by Julius Luwemba
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) unveiled a new marine rescue boat which was procured at sh1.4b, bringing to a total of four marine rescue boats currently owned by the aviation authority.
The new Rigid Hull Foam Pontoon manufactured by Asis, a Dubai-based boat company, was launched onWednesdayat one of UCAA’s marine piers.

Eng. Ayub Sooma the director for airports and aviation security noted that the new rescue boat uses state-of-the-art technology and can rescue up to 50 people in case of any accidents.
“It has the Global Positioning System (GPS), echo-sounder, beat-locator and a water pump which is manually operated to put out a fire in a distance of 9.5metres,” described Sooma, adding that the new boat, like the other three, has an engine capacity of 500 horsepower and can travel at a speed of 50 notes.

Asis Boats’ Ibrahim Rizk (right) with Eng. Ayub Sooma (2nd right) handing over a certificate to Solomon one of the trainees as UCAA’s Emmanuel Barungi (left) looks on. Photo by Julius Luwemba
Each of the other three (3) rescue boats has more than three life-rafts which could rescue a total of 400 people in case of any accidents.
“As the industry grows with advances in technology, fire-fighting and marine rescue operations have become more sophisticated and challenging, hence a need for UCAA to continuously train personnel and have equipment that is up to the task,” further explained Sooma.

Adopted from: The New Vision December 3, 2020The New Vision December 3, 2020The New Vision December 3, 2020

by MUHAMAD MATOVU

The Civil Aviation Authority has tapped on the Kayoola EVS electric buses to transport staff of to and from work.

According to CAA’s acting director general Fred Bamwesigye, Kayoola will provide solutions to some of the public transport problems they have been experiencing.

“I am pleased to inform you that Kiira Motors Corporation offered and received acceptance to pilot the Kayoola EVS electric bus with Uganda Civil Aviation Authority by transporting our staff from Kampala to the airport and back,”he said.

He said the staff from Kampala will be collected three days a week for eight weeks, free of charge.

“From 20th July up to 11th Sep 2020 and from the feedback received from the users especially our staff and what we have witnessed ourselves, these buses are welcome addition,” he said.

Allan Muhumuza, the director marketing and sales at Kiira Motors, said that the buses have a seating capacity of 90 passengers.

“Once fully charged, the bus has a range of up to 300 kilometres, which covers the Entebbe – Kampala route and back comfortably. If well utilized, they could also contribute to reduction in congestion on the roads,” he said.

Kayoola buses don’t use diesel or any other type of fuel. Therefore with just a single charge, the bus can move for 300 KM.

The battery life of the Kayoola EVS electric buses is 3000 charge cycles, which is about 900,000km.

The engines of the Kayoola buses also give a competitive edge to the owner since their cost per kilometer is way cheaper in the long run.

Adopted from: The Nile Post July 28, 2020